Roman Grimsby ~ Cartergate Archaeology ~ A Site Report
The Romans in Grimsby
Today I was fortunate to visit a working dig at Cartergate in Grimsby where the archaeologists have unearthed traces of Roman occupation.
It was a great day and hugely interesting
Thanks should go out to all those concerned in organizing this open day so the public can get to see the site on which the first evidence of Roman activity in Grimsby has been found - it was not only fabulous but also a joy to see how many people came, from all age groups as well - very heartening.
I hope to have more in-depth information in time to come but for the present the archaeologists have found a Roman ditch on the site suggesting Romano British activity around the late 1st century to early 2nd century.
The main dating phase of the site appears to span the medieval 13th to 14th century and the finds archivist was kind enough to set out a key find from the period so I could photograph it for the site.
To the left you’ll see the remains of a circa 1200s Scarborough Type Jug or liquid pitcher which is clearly striking in design.
It was particularly pleasing to have several of the archaeologists and experts on hand who were busy informally talking to people and answering questions.
As can be seen below, conditions for the diggers were heavy underfoot but the finds have made it all worthwhile, some of which include a barrel lined well, trade tokens and plenty of pottery.
I did ask about Roman coins but none as yet have been found I was told.
The site as seen from the St James church end
The site is overlooked by St James church and would also once have been over-shadowed by St Mary’s church as well so clearly this settled area was right in the heart of medieval Grimsby.
There were several trenches open, one of which can be seen below, and a young boy was avidly watching them dig, he was a keen as mustard and seeing not only his genuine enthusiasm but also the time the archaeologists were giving him was truly an impressive breath of fresh air.
Grimsby Archaeologists in Action
Regulars will know I’m not one for watching TV and now I, and everyone else for that matter, will have even more reason for not warming up the cathode ray tube.
Your host was interviewed for local television - Imagine that . . . me actually moving and talking in your home - as if all this isn’t bad enough.
It was also great to meet a couple of people already familiar with this website so all in all a great day.
My congratulations go out to everybody concerned, Entec, the local council and all those on hand it really was a great opportunity.
It was also great to see just how many local people turned up - unquestionably a great success and something all those involved in should be proud of.
A suitable time for pointing out just how much interest there is out there - for the ears of the council that one !
I do hope to bring more detailed information as and when possible.
To that end if you know anything or are associated with the dig please do leave a comment and share any information.
Likewise if you were a visitor or have any opinions please feel free to share your thoughts as well
A great day !
Archaeologically Yours
Rod
Little Brother said,
February 19, 2010 @ 2:16 pm
Rod,
Sounds like a great day and I hope it receives the publicity it warrants. A good news story for once.
LB (ps where you being interviewed about the murder of Eastenders Archie Mitchell?)
Rod said,
February 19, 2010 @ 4:22 pm
LB,
it was really good and the first time I’ve been able to personally be at a dig so doubly so for me.
I’m pleased it was all so well supported as well
Cheers
Rod
Peter Mullins said,
February 19, 2010 @ 5:39 pm
It was a fascinating opportunity. Like you, I enjoyed the sheer goodness of those involved in this short pre-construction dig opening everything up for a day and sparing some people even as their limited time is running out.
One of the archaeologists said that his best guess is that the Roman finds would be from a small holding rather than a larger settlement, but discoveries in years to come may show this is wrong. You seem to be even less likely to get an unqualified answer from an archaeologist than you are from a theologian.
And the pottery expert was quite wonderful; she seemed to be able to recognise the origins of almost any tiny fragment, and commented on from just how many different places (across Lincolnshire and abroad) mediaeval pottery from one house had come. The jug you picture is called Scarborough Ware on the notices but she called it Beverley Ware, and, most interestingly, she pointed out evidence that it had been broken in the kiln, which made her wonder (tentatively, of course, since she moves among archaeologists) whether it was in fact made near by; there is no known mediaeval pottery site in Grimsby but she thought a town of this size might well have had one and said that there are other places where local pottery imitates styles from elsewhere.
Rod said,
February 19, 2010 @ 6:47 pm
Hi Peter,
pleased to hear you went and that you also enjoyed it - we could have been there at the same time ? (I was just after 10 and up till 12)
You seem to be even less likely to get an unqualified answer from an archaeologist than you are from a theologian
Bets and hedges come to mind Peter
Fascinating information about the jug, I didn’t know that. If it did indeed break during firing then surely (using hushed tones) there must have been pot making in the close vicinity - nobody walked here from Louth to dump it !
All of this is just a taste of what must have gone on around here Peter - I’m sure there is so much more than we’re aware of.
Best wishes
Rod
chris keyworth said,
February 19, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
was gunna suggest you went for a look at this last friday but i didnt find out it was open until late and the weather wasnt good,
regards
chris
Rod said,
February 19, 2010 @ 7:17 pm
Chris,
I found out by chance, thankfully, I don’t take the Grimsby Telegraph so had no idea they had an opening day.
Pleased I never missed it - I’d have been gutted
Cheers
Rod
The Dinosaur said,
February 19, 2010 @ 8:11 pm
Rod, first class photos!
chris keyworth said,
February 19, 2010 @ 8:28 pm
Rod
do you want to go on a real treasure hunt, ive found a lost mansion and whats more the owner has given me permision to detect it, just seen the AP for it and its very impressive, whats more the follow up for it is going to be massive…
regards
chris
Rod said,
February 20, 2010 @ 8:09 am
Dino,
mnay thanks, sadly the pictures don’t convey just how good it was to be there . . . but they give an idea of what the site looks/looked like
Best
Rod
Rod said,
February 20, 2010 @ 8:10 am
Chris,
email in the post, sorry I didn’t catch this last night - I was offline in the evening
Sounds mouthwatering
Best
Rod
Annie Flinn said,
February 21, 2010 @ 7:23 pm
Hi Rod,
The terrific feeling of being at a dig is one that touches our very souls. I was at one near Hadrian’s Wall, and found it a thrilling experience. I would love to volunteer at a dig. HAve you thought of doing that?
Annie
Rod said,
February 21, 2010 @ 7:44 pm
Hi Annie,
I would indeed volunteer at a dig should the chance arise.
It does remind me og the old joke though . . .
Volunteer work . . . I wouldn’t do it if you paid me !
Best
Rod
attila said,
June 3, 2010 @ 8:07 pm
the last dig around top town only ever yielded a few old rotten shoe soles and the archaelogy site reports took about ten years to put together and wasnt even done in grimsby they went to nottingham i.e site reports finds etc. the best finds ever yielded in grimsby are by metel detecters around the local fields and these finds are in there collections .i.e viking and anglo saxon relics coins etc . if the local metal detectorist was to inform the grimsby archaealogy unit were these finds were located the said unit would schedulize the site and then take over like little hitlers . therefore they keep these superb sites to themselves. . grimsby is always harping on about its viking past yet no grimsby archaelogy unit have ever come up with any finds or sites .yet the ordinary joe public armed with a metal detector comes up with superb finds every weekend . and in grimsby on a secret field ten minutes away from cartergate
Rod said,
June 4, 2010 @ 6:36 am
Attila,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
I must say I was surprised that when I went to the dig they’d shifted tons of soil and not found one Roman coin - that seemed peculiar to me . . .
I should absolutely love to hear about some of the finds made in and around Grimsby, you’ve absolute anonymity here neither I nor anybody else would know whence the information came.
I understand the reticence of metal detectorists but wouldn’t it be great if the finds could just be mentioned somewhere like this as being in existence.
I think if Grimsby had a proper museum and did things differently much would change Attila
Thanks again for taking the time to comment and hope to hear from you again in the future
All the best
Rod